Monday, 16 June 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Kerala: The Forest Department's innovative ecological restoration drive, "Vitthoot", was launched on Sunday, 15 June in Kozhikode.
Published Jun 16, 2025 | 11:13 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 16, 2025 | 5:28 PM
Kerala to launch blood bank traceability application. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Kerala announced key initiatives: a Blood Bank Traceability App for real-time access to blood units; the Forest Department’s “Vitthoot” Seed Ball Project for ecological revival; and the “Shraddha” education uplift project in Pattambi. CSIR-NIIST and Kodagu University signed an MoU on food tech research. Idukki launched “Pursuit of Happiness” to fund higher education for underprivileged students.
In a significant step towards improving public health services, Health Minister Veena George on Saturday, 14 June, has announced the establishment of a centralized Blood Bank Traceability Application in Kerala.
The initiative aims to provide real-time information on the availability of safe and suitable blood units across the state through a dedicated portal.
The project, spearheaded by the Health Department in collaboration with K-DISC, Kerala State AIDS Control Society, Blood Transfusion Council, and eHealth, will be piloted at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital this month, and the government is planning to roll it out across the state by the end of the year.
The application will integrate both government and private blood banks on a single platform, ensuring transparency and accessibility for the public.
Earlier, the state came out with a state-of-the-art blood bag traceability system and the Kerala Rare Blood Donor Registry.
The minister stated that the initiative supports Kerala’s goal of achieving 100 percent voluntary blood donation in the coming years.
The Kerala Forest Department’s innovative ecological restoration drive, “Vitthoot”, was launched on Sunday, 15 June in Kozhikode.
Seed ball. (Supplied)
Forest Minister AK Saseendran inaugurated the initiative, which involves dispersing seed balls — eco-friendly capsules made of native plant seeds, soil, compost, cow dung, and natural fungicides.
As part of the wider Mission Food, Fodder and Water project, the campaign aims to improve food availability in forests, curb human-wildlife conflict, and revive degraded landscapes.
The initiative will focus on native species like bamboo, jamun, figs, and jackfruit — essential food sources for wildlife.
The project will be rolled out in multiple locations.
Students, local communities, and socio-cultural organisations will actively participate in the conservation effort, which continues until 15 August.
The “Shraddha” project is poised to uplift the education sector in Pattambi, said MLA Muhammed Muhsin while inaugurating the MLA Excellence Award and Shraddha Edu Fest at Amayur OPH Convention Centre.
MLA Muhammad Muhsin
He announced that a learning city concept and an international-level education conclave would be introduced to enhance academic standards.
The MLA further highlighted ongoing people-centric initiatives in health, education, and prison reforms.
An ₹18 lakh blood storage centre will soon be established in Pattambi, while ₹8 crore is allocated for canal and river renovation, honouring literary icon MT Vasudevan Nair.
Other projects include a ₹4 crore paddy research centre, a farm tourism initiative, and a flyover at Vallapuzha.
Pattambi Municipality Chairperson O Lakshmikutty presided over the event. KILA Director Nizamuddin IAS was the chief guest, and Dr TP Sethumadhavan delivered the keynote. Educational institution stalls and felicitation of distinguished personalities marked the event.
CSIR-NIIST, Kodagu University sign MoU. (Supplied)
The CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) and Kodagu University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on joint research, academic exchange, and capacity-building in food processing and life sciences.
The agreement was formalised during a conclave on “Next Generation Food Technologies: Processing for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” organised as part of NIIST’s golden jubilee celebrations.
Inaugurating the conclave, Kodagu University Vice-Chancellor Ashok S. Alur highlighted that next-generation food processing represents a crucial step towards building a smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable food system.
CSIR-CFTRI Director Sreedevi Annapurna Singh underscored the role of translational research in promoting nutrition and wellness.
Alka Rao, advisor to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), spoke on evolving food safety regulations, while NIIST Director C. Anandharamakrishnan reiterated the institute’s mission to deliver scalable, science-based solutions for society.
Idukki district administration has unveiled “Pursuit of Happiness”, a scheme aimed at supporting meritorious students from financially challenged backgrounds to pursue higher studies. District Collector V Vigneshwari announced that the initiative ensures no deserving student’s educational dreams are hindered due to financial limitations.
Students who have excelled in Class 10 and Plus Two exams can apply through idukki.nic.in.
Applications will be verified by village officers, and beneficiaries will be selected by the Collector following eligibility checks.
The scheme also invites good-hearted individuals to become sponsors. Interested donors can register via the same website. A joint bank account involving the student, sponsor, and institution head will be opened to handle financial transactions, ensuring transparency.
Calling it a symbol of hope and promise for Idukki’s youth, the Collector urged the public to join hands in brightening students’ futures through this noble venture.
water
Thrissur Corporation has created history by becoming the first local body in Kerala to implement a comprehensive water-efficient project.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Water Efficient Thrissur (WET) initiative on Monday, aimed at permanently resolving the drinking water issues within the corporation limits.
Revenue Minister K Rajan hailed the project as a model for Kerala, noting that Thrissur remains the only local self-government to efficiently manage both electricity and drinking water services.
The ₹5.59 crore project, completed under the AMRUT scheme by ULCC, sources water from Peechi Dam, treats it, and supplies clean water to 18,500 consumers via an overhead tank at Thekkinkadu Maidan.
The system, fully online and remotely monitored, enables real-time detection of leaks, supply issues, or illegal tapping. Plans are also underway for WET 2.0 to introduce 4,000 smart meters and automated water quality testing under AMRUT 2.0.
logo
A year-long awareness campaign titled ‘Awareness could keep sickle cell disease at bay’ (Ariyam Akattam Arivalkosha Rogam) will get launched in Kerala to combat the genetic blood disorder among tribal communities.
Health Minister Veena George on Monday released the campaign’s logo, marking the state’s intensified efforts to address the issue.
Organised jointly by the Health and Scheduled Tribes Development Departments, the campaign will spread awareness on symptoms, treatment facilities, and assistance programs.
Special messages will be prepared in tribal languages, with a focus on pregnant women, children, and affected individuals.
The health deparment stated that since 2007, Kerala has been running the Sickle Cell Comprehensive Treatment Scheme in Wayanad and Attappady.
Expanded in 2023, it now covers Nilambur and Attappady blocks, with plans to include Kannur, Kasaragod, and Idukki this year.
The campaign’s logo launch event saw the participation of Director of Health Services Dr. K.J. Reena, UNICEF representatives, and senior officials from the Tribes Development Department.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder which affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. According to CDC, in someone who has SCD, the hemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the red blood cells to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a sickle. The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, sickle cells get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious complications (health problems) such as infection, acute chest syndrome, and stroke.
police
The Kerala Police inducted 144 new women Civil Police Officers on Monday, marking a proud moment at the Kerala Police Academy in Thrissur.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inspected the ceremonial parade and received the salute from the new recruits.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increasing women’s representation in the force and creating more opportunities for them.
Thiruvananthapuram natives P.K. Geethu from Vellayani led the parade as commander, while U.V. Anuja from Vattiyoorkavu served as second-in-command.
M.R. Sruthi was honoured as the Best Indoor Cadet, and J. Drishya won Best Shooter. Parade Commander Geethu also bagged the Best Outdoor Cadet and All-Rounder awards.
Among the new officers, 40 are postgraduates, including two with MBAs, 13 B.Tech holders, and several other graduates. They will join the Women’s Police Battalion at Menamkulam.
